READING COMPREHENSION 12TH GRADE

European Union

The European Union (EU) is a unique political and

economic community with supranational and
intergovernmental dimensions. It is composed of twenty-
seven member states primarily located in Europe. In 1957,
six European countries formed the European Economic
Community (EEC) by the Treaty of Rome. Since then the EU has grown in size
through the accession of new member states and has increased its powers by the
addition of new policy areas to its remit. In 1993, the Maastricht Treaty
established the base of the current legal framework.

The EU created a single market which seeks to guarantee the freedom of

movement of people, goods, services and capital between member states. It
maintains a common trade policy, agricultural and fisheries policies, and a
regional development policy. In 1999 the EU introduced a common currency,
the euro, which has been adopted by thirteen member states. It has also
developed a role in foreign policy, and in justice and home affairs. Passport
control and customs checks between many member states were abolished under
the Schengen Agreement.

With over 492 million citizens the EU generates an estimated nominal GDP of
8.6 ($10.7) trillion in 2007. It represents its members in the WTO and observes
the G8 summits. Twenty EU countries are members of NATO. Important
institutions of the EU include the European Commission, the European
Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Council, the
European Court of Justice and the European Central Bank. EU citizens elect the
Parliament every five years.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses
material from the Wikipedia article "European Union". You can explore more
on the Wikipedia website. The text and the images are used here only for
educational purposes.

Questions about the text

1. How many members has the EU?

6.
 27.
We don't know.

2. The euro is used in all the countries of the EU.

True.
False.
We don't know.

3. Passport control between many member states was abolished.

True.
False.
We don't know.

4. What is the estimated nominal GDP of the EU?

8,600,000.
8,600,000,000.
8,600,000,000,000.

5. Only twenty EU countries are members of NATO.

True.
False.
We don't know.